Still Surviving Wwi Veteran To Get Special Tribute At Picnic.

At a celebration honoring America`s veterans, a veteran of the War to End All Wars will get special recognition.

On Wednesday, several Broward County veterans groups will put on the second annual Salute to Veterans and Family Picnic at the Elks Lodge picnic grounds, 700 NE 10th St. in Pompano Beach.

A highlight of this year`s tribute will be a ceremony for Thomas A. Ferry of Pompano Beach, said Bob Shelley, an organizer of the event and vice commander of a local American Legion post.

Ferry, 91, served in the U.S. Navy during World War I and became the American Legion`s youngest charter member when he joined the organization 71 years ago.

Dennis Myers, publicity chairman for the event, said he thinks there are few surviving World War I veterans in Broward.

``There`s a certain camaraderie when you`ve worn the uniform of the country, especially into battle,`` Myers said.

The celebration will begin at 11 a.m. with a 21-gun military ceremony and parade. As with the recognition ceremony for Ferry, there is a connection here to the First World War.

``We`re starting our salute to military veterans on the eleventh hour, the eleventh day and the eleventh month to commemorate the signing of the armistice that brought World War I to an end,`` Shelley said.

There also will be a flag presentation in memory of Vietnam prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action, Shelley said.

The event will include music, food and a drawing for vacation prizes. Last year, 500 to 600 people attended. Shelley said organizers are expecting 1,000 this year.

Groups participating in the event include American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary Post 142, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary Post 8182, Disabled American Veterans, Tamarac Detachment 755 of the Marine Corps League, the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, the Broward County Council of the Navy League, and the Pompano Beach Elks Club.

---- For more information, call Bob Shelley at 942-2448 or 941-6863.

IF YOU GO

--WHAT: Second annual Salute to Veterans and Family Picnic

--WHERE: Elks Lodge picnic grounds, 700 NE 10th St. in Pompano Beach

--WHEN: Celebration starts at 11 a.m. Wednesday with a 21-gun military ceremony and parade.

--HIGHLIGHTS: The tribute will include a ceremony for Thomas A. Ferry of Pompano Beach, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War I and became the American Legion`s youngest charter member when he joined the organization 71 years ago. The event also will feature a flag presentation in memory of Vietnam prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action, music, food and a drawing for vacation prizes.